At first look you may be tempted to assume that the San Antonio Spurs and Orlando Magic are very completely different groups. In spite of everything, the Magic do sport a successful file, and are doing their greatest to hold onto what was as soon as a assured eighth seed within the Jap Convention (previous to the introduction of Adam Silver’s play-in shenanigans), whereas the Spurs are simply on the market doing their greatest to get to 11 wins on the season. In that sense, the variations are stark.
Nevertheless, with just a little nearer examination, there are some similarities that stick out a bit.
Just like the Spurs, the Magic are one of many youngest groups within the NBA (4th). And, just like the Spurs, the Magic tanked with a view to pin their future hopes on the event of an exceptionally gifted large man. And, additionally just like the Spurs, the Magic are a group that’s been higher on the defensive finish whereas making an attempt to determine who’s greatest suited to run their offense.
This gained’t appear as apparent group statistics for the complete season, because the Magic have a internet ranking (14th) and defensive ranking (fifth) that’s considerably higher than the Spurs.
Nevertheless, because the turning of the brand new yr (or somewhat, since beginning Tre Jones and taking part in Victor Wembanyama on the 5), the Spurs have considerably improved their defensive ranking (14th) and have been just about neck-and-neck with the Magic in internet ranking (twenty first) and offensive ranking (twenty third) throughout that stretch.
This raises an fascinating query as to what the Spurs’ file may need been up up to now, had the Spurs not spent the primary 25 video games of the season ‘experimenting’ at level guard.
Of their solely match-up thus far, the Spurs performed the Magic tight for a lot of the recreation (outdoors of a putrid third quarter) and that was with out main bench scorer and offensive spark Keldon Johnson within the lineup.
At full energy, anticipate the Spurs to push the Magic to the restrict, as these are two groups that match up effectively in opposition to one another and who’re each wish to show themselves.
San Antonio Spurs at Orlando Magic
February eighth, 2024 | 6:00 CT
Watch: Bally (Quickly to be renamed) Sports activities Southwest|Hear: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs Accidents: Charles Bassey – Out (Knee)
Magic Accidents: None
What to observe for:
Continued Defensive Enchancment
Whereas the offensive enchancment has been extra marginal (although noticeable), the Spurs seem to have made actual leaps on the defensive finish. With Victor at Middle, and Zach Collins largely again to the bench (minus spot beginning work), the Spurs have truly rated twelfth on the league on the much less glamorous finish over the past month. From the beginning of the season to the brand new yr the Spurs had ranked twenty fifth. That charges a major bump, and whereas the distinction from a spectator’s view will not be as apparent (particularly after so a few years watching excellent protection from the Silver and Black ), it’s proof that this group has in actual fact been enhancing and growing because the season has gone alongside, and largely on the tip that insures championship aspirations. Sure, the Spurs have a methods to go on the opposite facet of issues, however offense is normally simpler to return by on this period of the NBA. Much less missed and/or busted rotations needs to be music to the ears of each Spurs followers. The youngsters are extra than simply crawling at this level, now it’s time to discover ways to run.
For the Magic’ followers’ perspective, go to Orlando Pinstriped Put up.
PtR’s Sport thread shall be up this night for many who wish to chat by the sport. You can too observe together with the motion by PtR’s Twitter feed.
